Boy, 14, charged with string of sex assaults near university

A 14-year-old boy has been charged in connection with a spate of sexual assaults.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with five counts of sexual assault, allegedly carried out on women near the University of Manchester.

Police initially thought they might be looking for an offender as young as 12.

The boy has been remanded into custody and is due to appear at Manchester City Magistrates' Court later today.

The charges relate to five reports of sexual assault, including three from women who were sexually assaulted near the University of Manchester between Saturday September 21 and Saturday October 5.

Detective Chief Inspector Colin Larkin said: "I am extremely grateful to the public for all the calls we received this weekend after putting an appeal out for information in connection with these incidents."

Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual assault or any other kind of sexual crime can call Greater Manchester Police on 101 or refer themselves to St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515.

An 18-year-old man who was arrested in connection with the incidents has been bailed pending further inquiries.